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Bright Light Headset Maker Valkee Announces 7.4 Million Euro Funding

The company behind the pocket-sized bright light therapy device expands
scientific research, use cases, and distribution.

HELSINKI, June 7, 2013 /CNW/ - The bright light headset maker Valkee today announced the Series A funding round of EUR 7.4 Million. Together
with an international fund, the participating investors include both
current and new shareholders of Valkee.

Valkee (http://www.valkee.com) is a pocket-sized light therapy device that channels bright light via
the ear canals into the brain. A daily 12-minute dose is studied to
have beneficial effects on mood and wellbeing as reported by University
of Oulu, Finland, according to its research program since 2008. The
product was launched in 2010 in Europe under the CE Class II medical
device certification.

"A staggering 87% of users recommend Valkee to their friends. They have
adopted on-the-go bright light as part of their daily wellbeing. Our
strongest customer base is in German-speaking Europe, the Nordic
countries and Japan," says Pekka Somerto, Valkee CEO.

"We have discovered a new mechanism for the way light positively impacts
mood and performance. As a science-driven consumer electronics company,
we aim at further deepening our understanding of how bright light
affects humans, and turning this science into easily usable healthcare
and wellness products," says Timo Ahopelto, Partner at Lifeline
Ventures and Valkee Chairman.

With the funding, Valkee will expand its market areas, reseller network
and use cases. Currently, the company has clinical trials ongoing in
the areas of jet lag, cognitive performance and different depression
types.

Valkee is a health technology company focused on harnessing the benefits of
bright light to the human mind and performance. Based on long-term
scientific research and development work together with Finland's Oulu
University, Valkee introduced the world's first bright light headset in
2010. Clinically tested to remove seasonal affective disorder symptoms from nine out of ten study
participants, the Valkee user base has already grown to tens of thousands of people
in 20+ countries. Of all Valkee users, 87% recommend Valkee to their
friends. Additional tests and studies concerning the effects of bright
light on cognitive and physical performance and jet lag, among other
areas, are planned and in progress. Founded in 2007, Valkee
headquarters are located in Oulu, Finland. For more information, please
visit http://www.valkee.com and follow us at http://www.facebook.com/valkeecompany and http://www.twitter.com/humancharger.